Sport

Rapids record maiden victory

WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids secured their first NatWest T20 Blast victory of the season after Nottinghamshire Outlaws' lower order collapsed in a 24-run defeat at Trent Bridge.

The New Road side, who had previously lost to Durham Jets and Lancashire Lightning in the North Group, triumphed at the third time of asking to pick up two points.

At 105-3 after 14 overs, Notts appeared to be on course to overhaul Worcestershire’s total of 163-6 amid a strong start to their reply.

Opener Alex Hales, who has just returned to his parent county following a brief loan spell at New Road, blasted 39 and Samit Patel 41, but once the top five wickets had fallen their resistance was over.

Chris Russell did the damage late on by removing Steven Mullaney and Sam Wood for nought before accounting for Ajmal Shahzad for just two runs to finish with 3-32.

Luke Fletcher and Andy Carter were the last men standing but, by the time they arrived at the crease, the hosts were already beaten for their first Twenty20 defeat of the season in two matches.

Worcestershire posted 163-6 from their 20 overs with their momentum hit by the steady fall of wickets.

Alexei Kervezee top-scored with 43 off 36 balls despite hitting just two boundaries, until he fell to Shahzad.

Shahzad also accounted for Ross Whiteley, who was cleaned bowled in the same over, bringing his knock of 34 to an end.

Colin Munro struck three sixes as he compiled 31 before eventually falling to Wood.

But, with four players having accumulated over 25 runs and the overall scoring rate standing at 8.15 runs per over, the visitors had built a match-winning score.

It was the third of three tricky away tests for Steve Rhodes’ side and, after defeats by 29 runs and 12 runs at Durham and Lancashire respectively in the space of 24 hours last weekend, the Rapids could have been forgiven for not relishing the trip to Trent Bridge.

But they passed the test with flying colours as they continued what has so far been a fine season.

They return to the four-day format on Sunday when they visit Kent in the LV= County Championship Division Two seeking a fourth victory in six matches.